Because of the perceived increase in crime in high-net-worth neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, hidden panic rooms are becoming increasingly in demand, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Real estate agents, though, can never tell casual buyers or appraisers the exact location of a safe room. Often, they can’t mention its existence at all until the property is under contract.
For 25 years, Building Consensus/Panic Room has built various safe spaces ranging in security levels from one through eight. Safe rooms at level three may be protected with Kevlar, while a level eight is encased in thick steel. Prices range from $100,000 to over a million dollars (the company’s client base consists mostly of billionaires).
Most rooms are opened with a finger or retina scan typically secreted behind a bookcase or hidden wall, and come equipped with panic buttons that automatically call security services. There also is an emphasis on comfort. On normal days, it can function as an everyday use room, which when needed can be turned into a safe haven.
Image: Building Consensus